Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-04
THE ELEPHANT In CEYLON.
Numerous Uses to Which 1t Is Put-It
Marvellous Intelli1ence

Marvellous Intelligence.
To every nation on the globe Providence
has vouchsated some animals to serve as
beasts of burdens to the people and ma
terribly aid them in gaining their liyeli-
hood. In our own country the horse, the
OK and the mule are co-laborers with man
kind IN their struggle through life; the
Laplander and EsquimauX, bundled in
skins and comfortably seated on their
sledges. flourish their long whips over
the heads of the reindeer or a pack of
yelping dogs who, straining IN their print
tive harness, fly swiftly over the frozen
crest of the snow or the dark blue line of
ice that marks the course of the rivers, On
the burning sands of Arabia the patient
camel, the principal treasure of the child
rem of the desert, tolls patiently beneath
the scorching rays of tropical sun to assist
his master in the great business of life;
but it is left to India to utilize the hercu-
lean strength and sagacity of the most I'M
couth of animals, the elephant. To those
of our countrymen who are familiar with
this beast only as it is exhibited from time
to time by the showmen, the uses to which
this most valuable creature is put, and the
amount of service he renders, not oniy TO
the natives of the land of idols, but to the
world at large, seems almost incredible
Several years ago the writer, then master
of an American ship, was chartered in
Bombay to proceed To q small port in Cey-
Ion, situated a few leagues TO the northward
of Point de Gale, to load heavy teak wood
lumber for the Clyde, and it was here that
he saw displayed the most striking intelli-
gence of the elephant. In CeyloR no rail
roads stretch from the wooded districts of
the interior to the sea coast, and the timber
cut on the mountains has to be dragged
YEARLY over the miles of rough country in
tervening between the place of its growth
and the sea. From the time the tree is
felled and Invested of its limbs until it is
formed into RATS along the shore all the
mechanical labor is performed by the ele-
plant. A drove of these animals, VARYING
in number from five to ten, are conducted
into the woods by two or three natives and
set TO work. They know what is required
of them, and at once pair off generally
working in couples) to begin their days
labor. Selling huge log with their trunks
they roll it upon their tuSks, and, holding
it firmly in place by coiling their trunk
about it, they lit it bodily from the ground
and places il upon the rollers which are TO
aid in its transportation to the beach. 1t
cases where the clearing will not admit of
their walking abreast with their burden.
they will sidle along, carefully avoiding all
trees and stumps, until they place the log
on its bed as squarely as could the most
sllillful engineer; then returning at lei
surely gait, they pick up another log, and
transport that in the same methodical
manner, until The land-raft has assumed
the required proportions.
When the ground tier has been COM
pleted and they commence to build up. the
ingenuity of the animal is most wonder
fully displayed in lifting and depositirg
the heavy timbers in their place One
xt-tfl Inv Il 4
his companion, they will together carry
that end as far across the foundation as
they can reach and drop it. Then both
will return to the first end, handling that
in like manner until by successfully treat
ing each end, they work the log into place.
The several squads pass and repass one an
other without jostling or in any way inter-
fering with the work; and all this is done
without q word from the drivers, who
spend most OF their time peacefully sleep
ing beneath the grateful shade Of some
neighboring palm. When the pile is COM
ple,ed the overseers lash it together with
heavy chains and place rough harness, con-
sisting of breast-band and traces, upon the
larger animals of the drove, and attach
them to the structure. preparatory to drag
ging them to the shore. This part of the
business the elephants seem strongly to re-
sent, for the minute the harnesses are pre-
duced the bulls set up a dreadful trumpet
ing, flourish their trunks in the air, and as
sumo most ferocious mien. but a few
prods from the goad soon reduce them 10
subjecton, and they start for the beach
without further delay. The smaller ami
mails pick up the rollers that are left be-
hind, carry them ahead and lay them in
place, the work being conducted upon the
same principle upon which buildings are
moved in our own country. On reaching
the waters edge the elephant displays
signs of the greatest pleasure, being invari-
ably allowed an opportunity to take bath,
which is heartily enjoyed by them.
This completes one days work. The next
morning sees them placing the timber in
the water and building a floating raft
which later is towed off BY the ships crew
awaiting the cargo. On the voyage in ques-
ton the writer on going ashore one morn
ing CHANGED to have several ship biscuit in
his pocket, and noticing one old elephant
more sedete and wise-looking than his COM
panions, proffered him a cracker, which
was eagerly accepted by the huge beast.
After the supply had been exhausted he
wound his trunk round into all the peck
cts of the coat and not finding any more
he sat up a most dismal trEmpeting and
turned again to his work. Amused by his
actions, when this same squad returned
which would be every other morning, this
old patriarch was met by the writer with
another lunch of biscuit, which was con-
iinGed until the sly fellow came to look for
it as regular thing. and as soon as the
hoat left the ships side would leave his
partner in the lnrch, despite the efforts of
the drivers to prevent him, make a breal
for the water. meeting US some distance
from the shore. But, alas for the evils of a
confirmed habit. One morning the biscuit
was forgotten, and the re ,epiion which
awsited US would cause enc more courage
Gus than a Yankee skipper and bis crew TO
quake with fear. Though carefully avoid
iding doing us any harm. be beloved
loudly, stamped his feet with anger and
tore around in most frantic manner,
throwing sticks. stones and whatever came
in his way, high into the air. For a long